Juventus are determined to land Croatian international Mario Mandzukic as a potential replacement for Carlos Tevez, report ESPN.

Tevez is strongly linked with a return to Boca Juniors in Argentina, and Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta told Tuttosport this week that Mandzukic is the player they want to sign in the eventuality Tevez pushes through a transfer.

Tuttomercatoweb have since claimed, referencing SkyItalia, that Juventus have scheduled Mandzukic for a medical at the club on Monday.

Spanish newspaper AS reported Juventus had approached Mandzukic's agent, and the two clubs are believed to be negotiating, although it is unclear how far along they are in terms of agreeing a fee.

The claimed Monday date may be Juventus being optimistic but it gives the clubs time to find common ground over the weekend, with the striker is not expected to remain at Atletico.

Manager Diego Simeone was quoted in The Mail stating the striker's inconsistency 'annoyed him', unable to replicate the form which saw him score 28 times in 2013/14 for Bayern Munich.

The Sun claimed last week that Manchester United were keen on signing Mandzukic with Louis van Gaal an admirer, while The Metro reported at the end of last month that Tottenham Hotspur were considering a big bid for the striker.

The Juventus deal is far from done, but the Italian champions are preparing for it to be wrapped up early next week. If they fail then his Premier League admirers may get a second opportunity to make their move.

Dan Coombs

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